*Le Mercure de France*, vol. 50. April. Paris, 1904.
Paul Louis. "An Essay on Imperialism," p. 100 et seq.

"Imperialism is a general phenomenon of our epoch; it even represents one of the most characteristic features of the beginning of the twentieth century, and there are few peoples who have managed to escape its influence.

The world is currently experiencing an era of imperialism, just as it has experienced the crisis of liberalism, the crisis of protectionism, the crisis of colonialism—just as it has undergone the general strain of nationalities, and for the past 10 years has witnessed the universal spread and accelerating growth of socialism. Moreover, all these elements, all these aspects of human life are closely interconnected; to a very considerable extent the fundamental contradiction of our time is imperialism and socialism. To establish this contradiction means almost to determine the basic principles of both" (100). . . . "Imperialism triumphs equally in England and in the United States, in Japan and in the Russian Empire, in Germany, in France and in Italy" (100-101). . . .

"It (imperialism) manifests itself everywhere as the last effort of capitalism to preserve its wealth, its political domination, its social power. This effort presupposes territorial conquests, the forcible or peaceful expansion of possessions, the closure of markets, the creation of a closed empire" (101).

The wars of 1820-1848 are connected "with the formation of great nationalities, the German and Italian" (102). . . .

. . . "Imperialism combines colonialism and protectionism" (105). . . .

"One must study it (imperialism) chiefly in England; there it found its promised land" (106). . . .

And thus alongside England there grew up:
(1) competition from France, Germany, America, Japan
(2) struggle for colonial markets (of Europe and the colonial countries themselves)
(3) merchant fleets of other countries

"Out of these three established facts arose imperialism" (107).

(Chamberlain's campaign. Imperial federation etc.)

The same applies to the U.S., to Russia, to Germany, to Japan (109).

(Inde—intensification of nationalism etc.)

"Nationalism, merging with imperialism". . . threatens wars etc. (112).

But these wars "will deal an irreparable blow to the social order of those countries that will participate in them" (113).

Will lead to the formation of gigantic empires—to the growth of discontent among workers (113), "the masses". . . (113) (high cost of living etc. etc.)

"Imperialism, being the last stake of the capitalist world, appearing to it the last refuge for salvation from bankruptcy and spontaneous disintegration, approaching it with irresistible fatality, is also an excellent, incomparable master of revolution" (114).

(End of the article)